OMAN Telecommunication Company (Omantel) has qualified for the second stage of a competitive process for third nationwide Mobile Network Operator license in Iran, as part of a consortium comprising local and international partners. According to a press release issued by Omantel, the company’s decision to compete for the third mobile network operator in Iran comes within the framework of the efforts exerted by the company’s management to boost its local and foreign investments by joining a global consortium.
Wireless Federation » archive for 'mobile licence'
Omantel takes a step forward to enter Iranian mobile market
- December 1st, 2008
- 5:34 am
Romanian mobile market estimated to grow between 5-10% in 2009
- November 27th, 2008
- 5:18 am
The Telecom regulator of Romania is anticipating that the market will grow by between 5% and 10% in 2009, following a double-digit rise in 2008. President of the National Regulatory Authority for Communications (ANC), Liviu Nistoran, said the growth stood at 16.7% in 2007. Nistoran further said, ‘we predict a two-figure market rise in 2008, with the most important sectors being the fixed broadband internet access and wireless internet, wireless data and mobile telephony.’ ‘I believe the communications market will continue to develop in 2009 as well, but [at] a slower rate, due to the economic crisis. I am counting especially on the constant wireless internet growth, [with] WiMAX licences due to become operational next year,’ he added.
DoT & Govt. calls for MNP bid (India)
- November 26th, 2008
- 11:35 am
Department of Telecom (DoT) along with the Government of India has invited proposal for the licence of Mobile Number Portability (MNP). The service enables mobile phone users to retain their mobile numbers when changing from one mobile network operator to another. According to the authorities, the license would be implemented in each intra licensed service area (LSA). The licence holder will operate the MNP system based on ‘build, operate and owned basis’. It shall take into account traffic study, services to be given, etc. for dimensioning of its Mobile Number Portability Clearing House (MCH), Number Portability Data Base (NPDB) and database query response system. The licensee shall have to arrange all those equipments and solutions (including tools and testers etc.) from time to time which may be required for efficient working, authorities further added.
Moreover, each successful bidder have to pay the entry fee and furnish Performance Bank Guarantee of Rs 10 million and Financial Bank Guarantee of Rs 20 million before grant of MNP license.
Launch services within 3 years or face termination, says DoT
- November 26th, 2008
- 10:51 am
Department of Telecommunications (DoT) may terminate the mobile licences of those new operators which fail to launch services within the three-year period that was stipulated as part of the licence terms, said India’s telecoms minister Andimuthu Raja. The Minister confirms, ‘Any departure from the law will amount to cancellation of licences…we will be more vigil.’ As pe the terms of the licence all operators are required to cover at least 10% of each circle’s district headquarters within the first year of operation.
Belgium to offer eight mobile licences in 2009 to boost competition in the mobile sector
- November 24th, 2008
- 7:47 am
The Belgian government looks forward to offer eight new mobile licences in country by 2009 in order to boost competition in the mobile industry.
“The agreement within the government is that we want to break open the market,” Business minister Vincent Van Quickenborne said.
According to Van Quickenborne the major licence to be awarded next year will be the fourth 3G service licence worth $50.08 million, for which Broadband provider Telenet and many other mobile operators have expressed interest.
Digicel to recieve Kiribati’s mobile licence in next three weeks
- November 20th, 2008
- 12:51 pm
Digicel is nearing to recieve the mobile licence of Kiribati to launch GSM services in the country. The government of Kiribati approves Digicel’s proposal of an investment of over $9.3 million in deploying a network across all Kiribati’s populated islands. According to Telecommunications Authority Chief Executive Pwanouia Aberaan the finalisation of the licence is under process and the issuing of licence is expected in next three weeks.
Etisalat awards turnkey network contract to Alcatel-Lucent
- November 19th, 2008
- 5:58 am
Emerging Market Telecom Services Limited (EMTS Ltd) operating under the Etisalat brand has awarded Alcatel-Lucent a multi-million dollar contract for the deployment of a new mobile cellular network in Nigeria on a turnkey basis. EMTS is a subsidiary of Etisalat Telecommunication Corporation and Mubadala Development Company, had secured a digital mobile licence in Nigeria in 2006 at a cost of $400 Mn.
Alcatel-Lucent is going to provide network deployment and integration services as well as related infrastructure such as towers, masts and power systems, as per the contract.
With this new network, EMTS will offer mobile voice and broadband data services with enhanced coverage and capacity in the western region of Nigeria, including Lagos.
Alcatel-Lucent said the contract underscored its strong position as a key telecom supplier in Nigeria and across Africa. The President, Alcatel-Lucent for Middle East and Africa, Mr. Vincenzo Nesci said, “This agreement further confirms EMTS/Etisalat’s confidence in Alcatel-Lucent’s industry-leading solutions and service support capabilities, and highlights our strong partnership for a variety of fixed and wireless communications projects in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, West Africa and now Nigeria.
“We have devoted all our efforts to delivering the best-in-class, turnkey solution to EMTS/Etisalat to help it establish the high quality of service it is committed to providing its subscribers.”
Alcatel-Lucent is to offer radio access solution that can accommodate multiple standards, using the same radio equipment and making it ideal for high-growth markets such as Nigeria.
The service providers could increase the capacity of their platform as and when necessary by introducing new radio access technologies on the same platform, supporting their evolution through simple software upgrades, firm added.
No further mobile licences, says DoT (India)
- November 18th, 2008
- 1:17 pm
DoT reportedly has announced that it will not grant any further mobile licences. The decision comes after the regulator had specified that applications for new licences must be submitted in by 25 September 2007, in spite of having initially announced a deadline of 1 October 2007. The report notes that out of 575 applications for new licences, 343 were made between 26 September 2007 and 1 October 2007, and those likely to miss out as a result of the regulators decision include Tulip, AT&T and Sterlite.
China Unicom anticipates 3G licensing to speed up, says Chang (China)
- November 18th, 2008
- 7:54 am
China Unicom’s, Chairman Chang Xiaobing said, they expect the government to accelerate the process of awarding licenses for high-speed wireless services. The faster wireless services will help the economy, said Chang. The government- led reorganization of the telecommunications industry is “largely completed,” he added.
According to a report, the government may delay awarding 3G licenses to the first half of next year to allow more time for the development of a home-grown wireless technology. This delay will affect China Unicom plans to introduce faster wireless services to challenge industry leader China Mobile Ltd.
It is anticipated that China Unicom may initiate 3G services as early as the third quarter next year if licenses are issued by the end of 2008, stated Chang. The company is ready to spend 100 billion yuan ($14.7 billion) in 2009 and 2010 to expand its wireless networks and provide 3G services.
T-Mobile Macedonia, the only firm that shows interest in 3G tender (Macedonia)
- November 18th, 2008
- 5:45 am
T-Mobile Macedonia, the only company that shows interest in the Macedonian Agency for Electronic Communication (AEC)’s recent public tender for licences to offer 3G mobile services in the country, media reported. No other companies – including incumbent cellcos Cosmofon and VIP Mobile have shown interest in bidding for a ten-year licence.
